Quarterback Alex McGough, who enters his fourth season as a starter, is among six returning regulars on offense. As a junior, McGough completed 167-of-286 passes for 1,891 yards with 13 touchdowns and 11 picks.

H-back A.J. Sattinger, a first-team All-Sun Belt Conference honoree for Coastal Carolina, has joined the Panthers as a graduate transfer.

An inexperienced offensive line is a concern. Kai Absheer moved from left guard to left tackle in the spring, while fellow junior Daquane Wilkie returns at right tackle. The remaining three spots are unsettled.

With nine starters back, the Panthers are counting on the defense to make a leap forward after ranking eighth in C-USA in scoring (34.8 ppg), eighth in rushing (198.8 ypg), sixth in passing (235.8 ypg) and ninth in total yards (434.6 ypg).